City of Corona
Staff Report
400 S. Vicentia Ave.
Corona, CA 92882
File #: 22-0458
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 06/01/2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Community Services Department
SUBJECT:
Proposed Short Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Years 2022/2023 through 2024/2025.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Each fiscal year, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, in their capacity as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency, requires transit operators to submit the Short-Range Transit Plan, in compliance with the Transportation Development Act, to continue eligibility as a recipient of federal and state transit funds. The Plan summarizes the City’s local transit planning and financial activities, including fund requests for operating and capital needs. Although the Plan is a three-year document, RCTC only approves funds for the initial year, with the remaining years provided for planning purposes.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council:
a. Adopt the proposed Short Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 through Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
b. Direct staff to submit the approved Short Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 through Fiscal Year 2024/2025 to Riverside County Transportation Commission for approval.
c. Authorize revisions to the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Transit Service Fund 577 revenue and expense budget following approval by the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
The City of Corona Transit Service operates public transit services under the Dial-A-Ride and Corona Cruiser fixed-route programs. Dial-A-Ride services were launched in 1977 and the Corona Cruiser fixed route service launched in 2001. The City contracts a private transit management company, MV City of Corona Page 1 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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fixed route service launched in 2001. The City contracts a private transit management company, MV Transportation, to operate both transit program operations.
The Dial-A-Ride (DAR) program is comprised of specialized demand response and ADA complementary paratransit service. This service provides curb-to-curb transportation to qualified individuals, seniors 60 and older, and persons with disabilities, while ADA complementary paratransit service provides door-to-door service. The DAR service area includes the City of Corona, satellite locations in the City of Norco, and the unincorporated Riverside County areas of Coronita, El Cerrito, and Home Gardens.
The Corona Cruiser fixed route program is a network of two fixed routes known as the Red Line and the Blue Line. The routes provide access to local businesses, retail stores, parks, entertainment venues, municipal services, schools, and residential adjacent areas. These fixed routes connect with the Riverside Transit Agency regional bus routes, the Corona Transit Center, and the North Main Corona Metrolink Train Station.
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is the designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency with fiduciary and administrative oversight of transit operators in Riverside County.
Each year, RCTC reviews and approves the Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) and allocates local, state, and federal funding. The SRTP must provide data points under four categories: 1) System Overview and Service Profile, 2) Existing Service and Route Performance, 3) Future Service Plans, Fare Changes, Capital Planning, and Marketing, and 4) Financial Planning.
The City of Corona Transit Service (CCTS) is a participating transit agency in the region and relies on RCTC to provide the majority of funds needed for day-to-day operations. Therefore, the City is required to submit an annual update of the Short Range Transit Plan, which includes data and information for Fiscal Years 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
ANALYSIS:
In conformance with RCTC’s guidelines, CCTS staff prepared the three-year Short Range Transit Plan for FY2022/2023 through 2024/2025. This Short Range Transit Plan is necessary for funding through RCTC and is a compliment to the Comprehensive Operations Analysis which is underway and will be completed by the Fall 2023. The Short Range Transit Plan includes the following information included as four chapters. For a detailed review of all the data points summarized below, a copy of the Plan has been posted as an attachment to this report.
Chapter 1 - System overview and service profile
This chapter outlines the current service structure providing information regarding Corona Cruiser fixed routes and Dial-A-Ride/paratransit program, including a description of the service area, population and demographic served, current fare structure, transit fleet, facilities, and bus stop amenities. In addition, this chapter covers coordination efforts between CCTS and other transit agencies, i.e., Riverside Transit Agency & RCTC Metrolink. Further, this chapter provides operating data relating to the current fiscal year and year-end estimates regarding operating expenses, passenger trips, fare revenues, and vehicle miles/hours.
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Chapter 1 highlights are summarized below.
a. Description of Service Area:
1. Corona Cruiser Red and Blue lines provide transit along routes that mostly stay on main arteries, such as East and West Sixth Street, portions of West and East Grand Boulevard, the entirety of North and South Main Street, entirety of Magnolia Avenue, McKinley Street to Promenade, and portions of Rimpau Avenue, Ontario Avenue, and Temescal Canyon.
2. Dial-A-Ride provides service Citywide including service into the neighboring county areas of Coronita, El Cerrito, Home Gardens, and satellite locations in the City of Norco, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Services, and Norco College. b. Demographic Served:
1. Corona Cruiser
i. General Public 34.7%
ii. Students 14.8%
iii. Seniors/Persons w/disabilities 44%
iv. RTA Transfers 4.8%
v. Metrolink Transfers 0.4%
vi. Children 1.4%
2. Dial-A-Ride
i. Seniors 33.3%
ii. Person with disabilities 37.1%
iii. ADA Certified 24.7%
iv. Personal Care Attendants 2.5%
v. Metrolink Transfers 2.2%
vi. Children 0.1%
c. Fare Structure:
The fare structure reported in the previous and current Plan has been in effect for a decade.
The fare structure is currently under review and will return to the Council for further discussion. For purposes of this Plan, the fee structure will remain, but if changed, a Plan amendment may need to be processed.
Fare Price
Corona Cruiser
Cash - General Public $1.50
Cash - Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $0.70 Fare Type
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Fare Price
Corona Cruiser
Cash - General Public $1.50
Cash - Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $0.70 Cash - Children (46" tall or under) $0.25
Day Pass - General Public $4.00
Day Pass - Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $2.00 15-day Pass - General Public $17.50
15-day Pass - Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $8.05 15-day Pass - Students $12.25
31-day Pass - General Public $35.00
31-day Pass - Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $16.10 31-day Pass - Students $24.50
Dial-A-Ride
Seniors / Persons with Disabilities / Medicare Card Holders $2.50 Buddy Fare $1.25
Children $0.50
Fare Type
To incentivize the use of public transit, grant funds will continue to be used to subsidize Corona Cruiser multi-day (15-day and 31-day) passes. These funds allow riders to purchase multi-day passes at a 30 percent reduced price. On average, riders save 18-22 percent with the purchase of multi-day passes and with the addition of these funds, riders save an average of 50 percent on fares.
d. Fleet: CCTS has a current fleet of 20 buses. There are seven (7) Corona Cruiser buses and 12 Dial-A-Ride buses.
e. Bus Stop Amenities: Amenities may include shelters (lit and unlit), benches, trash receptacles, and signage. An assessment of all 187 stops is currently under review and will be included in future budgets for improvements.
Chapter 2 - Existing service and route performance
This chapter further details the performance of the current service compared to the plan provided in the prior approved year. This chapter summarizes the year-to-date operating data and compares it to the performance targets set by RCTC. It further provides year-end estimates based on the performance of the first 9 months of the fiscal year. Lastly, this chapter highlights improvement efforts to increase productivity and maintaining service to major trip generators.
Chapter 2 highlights are summarized below.
a. Fare Box Recovery: By statute, CCTS must recover a minimum of 20 percent of City of Corona Page 4 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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a. Fare Box Recovery: By statute, CCTS must recover a minimum of 20 percent of operating cost through fare revenue for fixed route and 10 percent for Dial-A-Ride Specialized Service. Farebox revenue includes passenger fares, interest on investments, advertising revenue, local contributions, and the proceeds from the sale of surplus vehicles. The farebox recovery ratio is a mandatory performance indicator. However, during fiscal year (FY) 2020/21 through FY 2022/2023 due to COVID-19, AB-90 and AB 149 Transportation Bills provided reprieve from having to meet this requirement. b. Areas of Improvement, including implementation of pandemic protocols:
1. Increased sanitization of buses and bus stop shelters and equipment.
2. Enforcing the mandated mask policy through April 18, 2022.
3. Provided hand sanitizer and masks onboard the buses.
4. Increased customer satisfaction by reducing the number of complaints.
5. Timely repairs and preventive maintenance of revenue vehicles to reduce road calls and missed service.
c. Summary of Service: Corona Cruiser and Dial-A-Ride service continue to feel the impacts of the pandemic and have not returned to pre-pandemic ridership. However, current fiscal year, third quarter numbers show a positive trajectory with increases of 24% and 55%, respectively. It is anticipated to take 3-5 years to return to pre-pandemic ridership.
d. Productivity Measures (# of riders per revenue hour/mile): Unfortunately, CCTS began suffering ridership losses as a result of major transportation improvements associated with the 91/I-15 freeway expansion project. This trend in loss of riders dates back to FY 2014/2015 and was expected to recover in 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic further aggravated productivity, while simultaneously, operating costs, or per revenue hour/mile, have continued to rise. Looking forward, staff anticipates the Comprehensive Operations Analysis will provide recommendations on how to rectify these losses in a sustainable manner.
Chapter 3 - Future service plans, fare changes, capital planning and marketing This chapter provides an overview of future service planning by outlining planned service enhancements, marketing and promotion efforts, as well as capital improvement planning. Service enhancements include increasing bus frequency, providing service to areas not currently served, and exploration of alternate transit options. These options are currently being explored as part of the Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA). CCTS intends to use the COA recommendations for future planning. CCTS’ marketing strategies are to increase ridership and increase awareness of Corona’s transit services. Finally, the capital improvement plan includes various projects and this section provides a brief description of those projects.
Chapter 3 highlights are summarized below.
a. Fixed Route Expansion: As mentioned above, staff is waiting on the COA’s findings and City of Corona Page 5 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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a. Fixed Route Expansion: As mentioned above, staff is waiting on the COA’s findings and recommendation. Tentatively, staff recognizes a gap in service to the following areas:
1. Green River Area
2. South Corona
3. Northwest Corona (Corona/Norco Limits)
4. Northeast Corona (McKinley Area)
5. Reinstate service at Vintage Terrace Senior Apartments
6. Extending Redline to Dos Lagos on weekdays and during holidays/summer b. Capital Improvements:
1. Intelligent Transportation System: Features explored include computer aided dispatching; automatic vehicle location; automated annunciators and reader boards to assist persons with disabilities; relay real-time transit information; automated passenger counter, digital fareboxes, smart card system and/or mobile ticketing applications, etc.
2. Bus Stop Improvements:
i. Redesign and replace shelters that provide advertisement opportunities to generate revenue.
ii. Replace bus benches with metal benches.
iii. Update bus stops to improve ADA accessibility.
iv. Assess locations missing amenities and where feasible install new shelters, benches, and trash receptacles.
v. Install newly purchased lights and push buttons for greater visibility in lowly lit areas.
vi. Redesign signage.
c. Fleet:
1. Purchase an ADA accessible van and two replacement buses for the Dial-A-Ride program.
2. Depending on COA recommendations and financial feasibility, purchase additional fixed route buses
d. Bus Parking Canopies
Chapter 4 - Financial planning
This final chapter provides the funding plan for the three years covered in the SRTP. It includes the operating and capital budget needs for FY 2022/2023, which RCTC funds. In addition, this chapter City of Corona Page 6 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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operating and capital budget needs for FY 2022/2023, which RCTC funds. In addition, this chapter includes the funding plan to support the two out years (FY 2023/2024 & FY 2024/2025). This chapter further outlines the regulatory and compliance requirements to ensure CCTS is complying as a public transit operator and recipient of federal funds.
As RCTC funds the initial year of the SRTP, CCTS staff is proposing an estimated operating budget of $2,975,047 for FY 2022/2023. The proposed SRTP financial forecast is based on available transit funds, previous years’ data, and CCTS’s projected operational needs. The budget includes the following sources to fund Fiscal Year 2022/2023 operating budget:
Revenue Source $ Amount
Local Transportation Funds (LTF) $1,456,060
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 $ 1,257,287 State of Good Repair (SGR) $29,400
Other Operating Revenues* $232,300
General Fund $0.00
TOTAL $2,975,047
*Includes passenger fares, bus shelter advertising revenues, and AB2766 bus pass subsidy.
In prior years, the General Fund has been used to close funding gaps to meet the State mandatory farebox recovery ratio requirement, which includes 10% for Dial-A-Ride and 20% for Corona Cruiser fixed route. However, an exception, or waiver, to the farebox recovery ratio is currently in effect through FY 2022/2023 under AB149 Transportation Bill. Therefore, a General Fund contribution will not be needed in FY 2022/2023.
Operating Budget
CCTS’s operating budget supports the following expenses: Salaries-Benefits (7%) and ServicesSupplies (93%). Of the $2.98 million operating budget, contracted services constitute the largest component at 84% of the total budget. These expenses represent purchased transportation services for operating Dial-A-Ride and Corona Cruiser. Other service & supplies expenses include fuel, printing and publications, advertising, Routematch Dispatching software, utilities, office supplies, minor office equipment, administrative, and Information Technology Services support.
Additional program activities funded from the operating budget include contracted services and projects, such as:
1. Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) - The COA is a study of the current system, programs, and services. Analysis of existing routes for opportunities for improvements include increasing frequency, expanding routes by adding additional stops and more frequent stops, integration of CCTS transit with RTA and Metrolink services, fare rates, service delivery and efficiency, needed and future service improvements, etc. The COA started January 2022 and is expected to be completed by August 2022. Although additional funds are not request for this activity, funds set aside for this project will be reflected in Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget.
2. Vehicle Maintenance Oversight - In compliance with the State of Good Repair regulations, this City of Corona Page 7 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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2. Vehicle Maintenance Oversight - In compliance with the State of Good Repair regulations, this contract aids staff to ensure MV Transportation is maintaining the City’s fleet in a state of good repair; this budget will cover the 2nd year of the City’s 3-year contract with MV Transportation.
3. Support services for the Digital Land Mobile Radio (DLMR) System - The DLRM System is needed for communication between bus drivers and dispatchers. Under this service contract, CCTS is provided the latest radio software necessary to operate the current platform (PC radio consoles), provide system updates, and 24/7 technical support. This budget will cover the 3rd year of the 5-year contract.
Capital Improvement Plan
The SRTP also includes the Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines CCTS’ past SRTP approved projects. The Capital Improvement Plan consists of the following projects for the next three to five years:
1. Intelligent Transportation System
2. Purchase Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessible Van
3. Digital Land Mobile Radio System
4. Canopy/Roof structure for Bus Parking Area
5. Purchase Route Development Buses
6. Bus Stop Improvements
7. Replacement of two (2) older 2012 buses
These projects were approved and funded by RCTC in prior SRTPs using State Transit Assistance, FTA Section 5307 & 5339 funds, and State of Good Repair funds. Prior approved projects and associated funds are listed in the SRTP Section 4.4 of Exhibit 1. These projects have all been included in the City’s Transit CIP budget.
Upon receiving Council’s approval of the proposed Short Range Transit Plan for FY 2022/2023 through FY 2024/2025, the Plan will be submitted to the Riverside County Transportation Commission in their capacity as Regional Transportation Planning Agency for ratification.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost of operations for transit services for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 is $2,975,046. Funding for all operating activities, in aggregate, is available from LTF, Federal Section 5307, State of Good Repair, and farebox revenues. The Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Transit Service Fund revenue and expense budget may require adjustments following RCTC approval of the proposed Fiscal Year 2022/2023 through Fiscal Year 2024/2025 SRTP. RCTC is expecting to go to its Commission on June 8, 2022 for approval of funding for all transit agencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California City of Corona Page 8 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Since this action approves planning documents and a financial plan there is no possibility that adopting this action will have a significant effect on the environment, therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: SUDESH PAUL, TRANSIT PROGRAM MANAGER & CYNTHIA LARA, COMMUNITY
SERVICES MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: ANNE K. TURNER, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR Attachments:
1. Exhibit 1 - Fiscal Year 2022/2023 through Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Short Range Transit Plan City of Corona Page 9 of 9 Printed on 5/26/2022
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